Étienne-Alexandre Millerand

b. 10 Feb 1859, Paris
d. 7 Apr 1943, Versailles

﻿Title:

﻿Président du Conseil des ministres (President of the Council of Ministers)

﻿Term:

20 Jan 1920 - 24 Sep 1920

﻿Chronology:

20 Jan 1920,
﻿appointed, decree of the President of the Republic [1]

21 Sep 1920, following the resignation of the incumbent, the functions of President of the Republic devolved on the Council of Ministers in accordance with Art. 7 of a constitutional law of 25 Feb 1875

23 Sep 1920, functions of the President of the Republic are assumed by the newly elected incumbent [2]

24 Sep 1920, ceased to hold the office upon the appointment of a successor [3]

﻿Biography:

﻿Studied at Lycée Henri IV and Lycée Michelet; educated as a lawyer at the University of Paris; admitted to the bar in 1881; worked as journalist for La Justice; joined the Socialist Party; elected to Chambre des députés (1885-1919); edited La Petite République, organ of the Socialists, and La Lanterne (1898); minister of commerce, industry, posts and telegraphs (22 Jun 1899 - 7 Jun 1902); split with the Socialist Party (1904); served as minister of public works, posts and telegraphs (24 Jul 1909 - 3 Nov 1910); minister of war (14 Jan 1912 - 12 Jan 1913, 26 Aug 1914 - 29 Oct 1915); supervised the return of the Alsace region to French administration at the end of World War I as commissioner general (1919-1920); President of the Council of Ministers (20 Jan 1920 - 24 Sep 1920); emerged as leader of the Bloc national, a right-center moderate coalition; favored a concept of stronger presidency (speech at Evreux, 14 Oct 1923); was opposed by the Cartel des Gauches, radical and socialist majority; victory of the Cartel in the elections of May 1924 resulted in increasing critical attacks; unable to form an acceptable Cabinet, resigned the presidency under pressure from the left-wing coalition; elected to the Sénat and served 1925-1940.